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Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia

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Overview

Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia, thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet. This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet. Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil. Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas, it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater HighZones 3–9
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Recognized for its adaptability; scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia, image 90

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
High
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature height
3–8 Ft.
Mature width
4–6 Ft.

Classification

Family
Clethraceae

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Photos (90)

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Summersweet unveils its visual and olfactory charm; that offers multi-seasonal interest to any landscape design, image 71
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — upright spikes of fragrant white or pink flowers emerge; its upright and slightly rounded form lends a structured, image 72
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — dark green leaves that transition to a striking yellow or golden-brown in the fall; and it is largely resistant, image 73
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This broadleaf shrub is relatively low maintenance; this deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms, image 74
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — requiring minimal pruning; recognized for its adaptability, image 75
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — and it is largely resistant to pests and diseases; when many other plants have completed their bloom cycle, image 76
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — supporting local wildlife; plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil, image 78
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — white flowers in the garden; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, image 79
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub with white blooms; summersweet unveils its visual and olfactory charm, image 80
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub for full or half or shade; supporting local wildlife, image 81
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet; excellent for rain gardens or, image 82
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet, image 83
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil; upright spikes of fragrant white or pink flowers emerge, image 84
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas; white flowers in the garden, image 85
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark, image 86
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia; summersweet is particularly forgiving of various soil conditions, image 87
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — is a versatile deciduous shrub native to North America; dark green leaves that transition to a striking yellow or, image 88
Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — that offers multi-seasonal interest to any landscape design; shrub with white blooms, image 89

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